In the male embryo, the mesonephric (Wolffian) duct regresses under the influence of anti-Mullerian hormone if no testosterone is present. In the normal male, which set of structures represents persistent mesonephric duct derivatives?

• A Uterus, uterine tubes, and upper vagina
• B Seminiferous tubules and rete testis
• C Prostate gland and bulbourethral glands
• D Seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts, and vas deferens ✓

Explanation

Testosterone stabilises the mesonephric duct, whose efferent tubules become epididymis and whose duct becomes epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and ejaculatory duct. The prostate and bulbourethral glands derive from urogenital sinus outgrowths, not the mesonephric duct. The uterus, tubes, and upper vagina are paramesonephric derivatives that regress in males through anti-Mullerian hormone from Sertoli cells. Seminiferous tubules originate from medullary sex cords of the gonad itself.

Reference: Langman's Medical Embryology, 14th ed.

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